If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You have to register
before you can post. To do so, click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Please do not post any copyrighted images or content without permission from the owner of those images or content. If you are unsure if an image or content is copyright protected, do not post it. When posting images from Google's image search, be sure to utilize the ability to filter by Usage Rights. This is located under Tools > Usage Rights. Any materials that infringe on any owner's Intellectual Property rights will be promptly removed.

Sean Day has all the tools to be a quality defenceman. He has ideal size, and is one of the best skaters in this entire draft class. His stride is smooth, and he seems like he is gliding just above the ice instead of digging into it. He has outstanding speed and acceleration as he is able to fly in both directions. His pivots are crisp, and his edgework is outstanding, as he can change directions or make quick cuts on a dime. Day also has power and balance in his skating and is strong on the puck.

Sean Day has an excellent slap shot and wrist shot, but does not seem to utilize them enough. The passing skill and vision are also there, but he doesn’t seem to create a lot of plays from the point. He seems to utilize very simple passes and does not try the types of plays that can truly make something happen offensively. His instinct in the offensive zone is also a bit of a question mark. He handles the puck well, but still seems to rush things a little too much when under pressure, not realizing the time and space that he has.

Defensively, Day has the footwork, the long reach, and the physicality to be effective in his own end. His skating makes him tough to beat one-on-one. He has the size to battle in the corners, and he’s not been afraid to go after bigger and stronger opponents.

So why 56th overall on our rankings? Though all the tools are there, Day doesn’t put them together on a game-in, game-out basis. He really needs to work on being consistent and avoid some of the mental mistakes that have plagued him over his first two years in the OHL. The effort level does not always seem to be there, and there is some question as to how committed Day is to a career in the NHL. Whispers heard in the scouts section at the Hershey Centre include questions as to whether or not he truly loves the game.

Sean Day is the biggest boom or bust prospect in the draft. His raw skills and tools give him the ability to be one of the top defencemen in the game. However there are real questions about the fact that he’s not been able to put things all together to date, and some question if he ever will. In terms of style, his game is comparable to Jay Bouwmeester, but this is a stylistic comparison, and not one based on his skill or potential.

However, what is not shown on the rankings provided above is just how much Day’s game has in fact progressed over his third season with the Steelheads. Although his offensive totals have dropped slightly, it is his impeccable defensive game which will be turning heads when he reaches the NHL level.

The one major area which Day has worked on throughout his time in the OHL is his defense, and it has definitely paid off.

In his own zone, Day is seemingly impassable. Combining his elite skating abilities and strength allows Day to match attacking players’ speed, while using his size to force players to the outside. In most cases, a quick, accurate stick knocks the puck off of opponents sticks before they have the opportunity to generate offensive opportunities.

Further, when it comes to board play, Day once again utilizes his power to pin opponents to the boards with ease, before once again using his stick to either knock the puck away, or in numerous cases, strip players of the puck before either making a crisp outlet pass or skating the puck out of his zone.

From the scouting reports, it sounds like he could use another year in the OHL to work on his compete level and offensive instincts. He's not AHL eligible for another two seasons so he'll have plenty of time. His skating ability is what we need, as is being reliable in the defensive zone. For a third rounder, I like the pick.

From the scouting reports, it sounds like he could use another year in the OHL to work on his compete level and offensive instincts. He's not AHL eligible for another two seasons so he'll have plenty of time. His skating ability is what we need, as is being reliable in the defensive zone. For a third rounder, I like the pick.

He plans on going back which is a good thing. Another year and then some time in HFD would make sense given timeline of current D.

Hidden Content“Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good.”- Malcolm Gladwell

It was a simple story: the adoration of a big brother by a little brother.

In Sean Day’s case, it was his older brother Scott, who he wanted to emulate growing up in Rochester, Mich.

“I remember watching my brother, Scott, play, and ever since then I wanted to be a hockey player,” said Day. “He was my role model growing up. He’s the reason I wear No. 4.”

That simple story took a tragic turn in late October 2014. Scott was driving his pickup truck when it slammed into another vehicle just four miles from his family’s home, killing a 62-year-old woman. The 23-year-old was charged by police, who found his blood-alcohol reading was twice the legal limit. Last summer, after pleading no contest, he was sentenced to prison for no less than 57 months and no more than 15 years.

It's not about being a sure fire NHLer. It's about quickest path to the NHL. By most accounts he's a 5 year project.

Who says he's a 5-year project? For all the physical talent he has, he could be up in 2. On the flip side, a 20 year old you draft in the third has just as good a shot of taking 5 years, or never making it at all, as Day.

Who says he's a 5-year project? For all the physical talent he has, he could be up in 2. On the flip side, a 20 year old you draft in the third has just as good a shot of taking 5 years, or never making it at all, as Day.

A lot of write ups have him 5 years out. I can look for them later.

I'm not going to argue who "could" make the NHL when (are there even 20 year Olds in the draft?) That's a waste of time. I think this team could have made a better choice (preferably a forward) with their top pick.

I'm not going to argue who "could" make the NHL when (are there even 20 year Olds in the draft?) That's a waste of time. I think this team could have made a better choice (preferably a forward) with their top pick.

Originally Posted by Morphinity

I'd like to see those articles too. Haven't been able to find them.

I saw a few on draft day in my Twitter feed, can't go searching now. But even if I'm wrong about that, if I misread, whatever...

Look at Brady Skjei...Drafted in 2012 and first full season will be 2016-2017.

Duclair was drafted in 2013 and his first full season was 2015-2016.

Basically I'd have went with a forward (because it's not like we don't need help there, either), because defensemen just take longer to mature.

I saw a few on draft day in my Twitter feed, can't go searching now. But even if I'm wrong about that, if I misread, whatever...

Look at Brady Skjei...Drafted in 2012 and first full season will be 2016-2017.

Duclair was drafted in 2013 and his first full season was 2015-2016.

Basically I'd have went with a forward (because it's not like we don't need help there, either), because defensemen just take longer to mature.

This. It's not uncommon for a defenseman to take until 23 to enter the league. In fact, it's probably more the norm outside of the first round.

There were 21 rookie defensemen this season who played more than 30 games. Only 7 of them were under 23. One played for St. Louis (Jake McCabe, 44th overall, 22 years old). The other 6 played for Carolina (3), Buffalo (1), Edmonton (1) and Colorado (1). So these are all younger defensemen playing for non-competitive teams.

The question is, given our prospect pool being so bleak, does it make sense to draft anyone that won't likely be available for 4-5 years? I think it's a balance. To really restock the system, it's going to take a careful balance. A lot depends on the organization's short term outlook. If they're going to retool and keep retooling, we need picks with shorter development cycles to feed into that. If we are really going to go for more of a rebuild, even if it's going to be a quieter one like we did from 2005+, longer term prospects with higher upside is probably OK.

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ― Neil Gaiman,

I can see him being 3-4 seasons away. Not sure if 5 is really the number at all. It's not like he as many aspects of his game that are in need of development.

It's whether or not he actually gets his shit together that determines when he comes in. If he stays on track with maintaining the right level of fitness and rounding out his offensive game, he could potentially be 2.5-3 seasons away. If he falls back into a rut who knows. Maybe that's where you start getting to 5 years if he ever makes it.

To me, you look at a guy like Day with the size, the speed, the shot, the passing ability but he just can't put it all together consistently. I think he gets a shot at the big show earlier for that reason. He's not some kid who needs to grow into his body or anything like that. He's not a monster like McIlrath who needs to learn how to skate. He just needs to learn how to play consistent, smart hockey and with the proper mentoring, I'd bet he can get there sooner rather than later.

This. It's not uncommon for a defenseman to take until 23 to enter the league. In fact, it's probably more the norm outside of the first round.

There were 21 rookie defensemen this season who played more than 30 games. Only 7 of them were under 23. One played for St. Louis (Jake McCabe, 44th overall, 22 years old). The other 6 played for Carolina (3), Buffalo (1), Edmonton (1) and Colorado (1). So these are all younger defensemen playing for non-competitive teams.

Good point, but that list doesn't account for guys playing in the AHL, like Skjei, who are ready but being held down due to organizational depth, or guys who are left in the A simply to get more minutes but could easily play in the 5/6 role

This. It's not uncommon for a defenseman to take until 23 to enter the league. In fact, it's probably more the norm outside of the first round.

There were 21 rookie defensemen this season who played more than 30 games. Only 7 of them were under 23. One played for St. Louis (Jake McCabe, 44th overall, 22 years old). The other 6 played for Carolina (3), Buffalo (1), Edmonton (1) and Colorado (1). So these are all younger defensemen playing for non-competitive teams.

The question is, given our prospect pool being so bleak, does it make sense to draft anyone that won't likely be available for 4-5 years? I think it's a balance. To really restock the system, it's going to take a careful balance. A lot depends on the organization's short term outlook. If they're going to retool and keep retooling, we need picks with shorter development cycles to feed into that. If we are really going to go for more of a rebuild, even if it's going to be a quieter one like we did from 2005+, longer term prospects with higher upside is probably OK.

This is basically my thinking. I think Day has upside, I'm just leery of how long it'll take to be realized.